Percy Jackson & The Olympians – A Harry Potter Rewrite?
One series that helped me get over my Post-Potter depression was Percy Jackson & The Olympians. It’s a fun series of books that chronicles the tales of a young demigod named Percy as he fights off monsters and evil lords all while trying to have a somewhat normal adolesant life.
If you are an uber Potter-geek like me, you’ll notice quite a few similarities between the story of Percy and our favorite boy wizard. Here are a few that I noticed. Feel free to leave a comment and share your own!
- Both books start with an 11 year old boy when they find out they are more than what they seem (1 is a wizard and 1 is a demigod)
- Both books have 3 main characters 2 boys and a girl
- Book 4 in each series features a labyrinth
- Both stories revolve around a prophecy that involves the main character
- There is a teacher at both schools that has it out for the main character.
- Both feature a 3 headed dog
- Both touch on the theme of doing what is right versus doing what is easy
- The bad guy in both series uses others to gain power and their human form back
- Both feature “Half-Bloods”
- Hogwarts and Camp Half-Blood both split their pupils out into different houses. Each house has it’s distinguishing characteristics
- There is a character is each of the rival houses that is an antagonist
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One of the most blatent rip-offs I have had the pleasure to read. I do say ‘pleasure’ though, because although when reading I thought to myself what a rip-off the story kept me reading on.
The story is fast paced and keeps you turning the pages, Riordan took something that worked so well and ran with it and fair play to him, he seems to have done quite well.
Both stories revolve around a prophecy that involves the main character – Yeah, well, when it’s about a demigod it probably has a prophecy doesn’t it?
Both feature a 3 headed dog – There is such a thing as a 3 headed dog in Greek mythology, so it wouldn’t be farfetched to include one in the book.
Both touch on the theme of doing what is right versus doing what is easy – not uncommon.
Both feature “Half-Bloods” – I find it funny that you have to touch on this… I don’t know why.
There is a character is each of the rival houses that is an antagonist – Well, yeah… why not.
By the way, I haven’t read Percy Jackson yet so I’m not being too defensive.
Also, by the way, Harry Potter IS somewhat of a rip-off (I say somewhat because a lot of things are very similar but it’s not really ripping-off) of one of Neil Gaiman’s works (I don’t remember what it’s called, I do remember a wizard boy who looks like Harry Potter, with a scar, I think, on his forehead, with a white owl, and so forth and so on…).
Thanks for the comments. I think pretty much all good books take some inspiration from other works; and I find it very interesting to compare. So now you really have me excited to check out this Neil Gaiman
Well of course they’re similar. Both follow the epic heroic story formula.
Star wars? Luke Skywalker, a young man, finds out that he is more than just a regular man, defeats evil, gets wounded by the villain, has a family member out to get him… Two males one female as main characters… Oh gosh, is Harry Potter a rip off of Star Wars?
No you fools, Harry Potter, and Percy, and Star Wars, and Gilgamesh, and countless Greek Myths follow the basic ancient “formula” for heroic tales that stretches back thousands of years. An epic hero is “…usually favored by or even partially descended from deities, but aligned more closely with mortal figures in popular portrayals. The hero participates in a cyclical journey or quest, faces adversaries that try to defeat him in his journey, gathers allies along his journey, and returns home significantly transformed by his journey.” – Thanks Wikipedia, but really anyone who didn’t sleep through high school Literature should have retained some of this knowledge.
P.S. Neil Gaiman is fabulous. For some great Gaiman epic storytelling, read American Gods.
Hi Professor. Thanks for the comment. I’m going to have to disagree with you. Of course everything is influenced by other things, and there is always a formula. I get that. But having read (and enjoyed) both series, I can tell you the similarities go beyond that. They both have characters they call “Half-Bloods” for crying out loud.
Here is something else I find highly amusing. The first book in the Percy series is called “The Lightening Thief”. That is awful funny considering Harry Potter has a lightening shaped scar on his forehead. Perhaps that’s the author’s way of admitting to the crime?
The books take a LOT from the harry potter books, the setup, several scenes (the second book has a “crazy taxi” scene that rips off potter’s third book “crazy bus scene” so bad you cant avoid thinking about it), the relation between Percy and “character X” is suspiciously similar to the Potter-Draco relation in many fanfics, and other things.
but i think Amie is being a little unfair, the Ares cabin never reaches the “evil because i say so” level of Slytherin, Clarisse is a lot more logical than Draco (and Percy is not as obsessed about her), Cerberus makes a lot more sense in Hades than in a school and there are only 2 main characters in PJ
like with many things, having/stealing an idea is easy (harry potter was not very “original” anyway), making it a reality is hard, PJ & TO fixes many problems Potter had, for example :
-Percy seems dimwitted (keeps asking “who are you”, “whats that”, etc all the freaking time) while managing to be an acceptably good fighter, unlike Harry that seems just useless (almost everything he accomplishes is either by luck, or done by others, a sad after effect of the next problem)
-apparently Rowling didnt want to think too hard about how magic works so Harry barely uses it and comes out as a very crappy wizard, Riordan saves himself from thinking too hard by using established folklore (and there is so much material about greek gods and monsters that he could keep going for 50 books just with that) and since this knowledge is not directly related to being useful (unlike magic knowledge) Percy can kick ass while he asks what a Minotaur is for the fourth time
-While Percy does have a “Big Bad”, there are so many monsters and possible enemies in greek folklore (even better, many dont fall into a clear good-evil so they can swing both way) that he always have something different to fight, in Potter its always about Voldy who cannot use his full power because Potter is incompetent, only when he fights the big D he gets to use some flashy spells.
-The ending is so much better, i wont spoil but the author manages to close the plot without destroying the franchise like Potter did, Riordan left plenty of space to start a new series of books in the same universe with new halfbloods.
because of this, imho, PJ is much better than Potter
omg i read both of the seres and your ridht they are the same and if you go on youtube type in harry potter puppet pals you will see. and if you go on youtube you can see a sneak peek of PERCY JACKSON IN THE LIGHTNING THEIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i think i like the percy jackson series because wasnt as long and in Harry poter everything is about harry, while in percy jackson each indivivual has there own major part but yes bot of them are very similar.
I agree with yah, Kratos! Yes, it is true.. And gee, the Three-Headed dog thing, it is normal.. I think PJ has the greater right to use it, since it is WELL CONNECTED with mythology, and it is far connected with magic.. also, PJ is related to Mythology and other Greek Literature, so PJ can be classified as somehow a Greek Literature… Also, it is like a modern-day Mythology…. I mean, continuation of Odyssey, like that, making it a “sensible” literature.. unlike HP which is “Purely” fiction, cannot be related to other literature, or even factual places and event… And yes, HP is very long…
I love PJ more!! And ohhh.. The “sorting” here is much suitable than HP… Because in HP, only the stupid hat determines them… but in PJ, the gods do the sorting.. The Hermes Cabin idea is really good, too, like if you still has not been determine yet, you can stay there…
Generally, I like PJ more than HP for tenfold..!!!!!
I happen to think they are different and use several cliches very well tho. And Percy was 12 not 11. ha! ahem sorry. *is a percy jackson fanatic
Okay, I’m not here to start an argument, but I must agree with Proffesor in that all stories contain certain elements that make them an enjoyable read.
Would Percy Jackson have been as good of a book if he didn’t have a prophecy surrounding him? If he didn’t have a strong female charector as a friend (appeals to both genders)? If he didn’t figure out a new world of Greek Gods that are hidden from “mortal” eyes?
No, it wouldn’t have. And neither would Harry Potter. Both authors used commonly used plot lines and story elements that appeal to readers.
And no, Rich Riordan did not ‘admit to the crime’ of stealing from Harry Potter by naming his book the Lightning Thief. The title of this story is leginement to the plot line… Zeus’s LIGHTNING BOLT is stolen. While, in Harry Potter, is it explained why his scar on his head is really a lightning bolt? For all its really worth, his scar could have been in the shape of a triangle.
I thoughrly enjoyed both series; and I guess the reason I’m writing this is that it upsets me when fans of these series bicker about how Riordan stole from Harry Potter. It seems like every book that comes out after HP is simply disregarded because it can never live up to HP’s potential– and any book someone simular, just as popular, and just as good is regarded as a scam.
also in the forth book the villin and the mane person meet, in the 5th one the war and fight breaks out
I find another parallelism in the Kronos character. He really looks a lot like Lord Voldemort, as opposed to the real mythological Kronos. He calls Percy in his dreams, his body has to be re-made (I have read only the first two installments). For me, much as I am enjoying the PJ saga so far, the similarities are overwhelming… Chiron-Dumbledore, Tantalus-Snape, Poseidon-Sirius Black, Clarisse-Draco, Gabe-Uncle Vernon, Luke-Barty Crouch Jr., and sooo on.
But then again, I bow to the originality of reshaping the classic Greek mythology into something fresh.
yeah your right.. but i also loved percy jackson cause i have always loved mythology… i have a greek mythology book that i read a lot of times and somehow the book of percy jackson feels like a quiz bee. like there are so many times you’ll say yeah that’s right.. or that’s not really accurate there…
nonetheless, i love potter and percy and edward! hahahaha
Well, I have to say that when I read the first Percy Jackson book I was shocked by the similarities with Harry Potter. Of course, many stories follow the Hero’s tale, and take bits and pieces from many traditions and mythology. But to put them together in almost exactly the same way? That is a bit too much. I was so hopeful that there would be a truely refreshing spin on Greek mythology in this series, but alas, it was a pale imitation of Harry.
And I do mean pale. The writing style and character development was horrible by comparison. The sentences are so short, choppy and repetitive that it is very difficult to read it aloud. And when Riordan lays clues to what is to come, he practically beats you over the head with them. By the end of the first few chapters, you know exactly what will happen. It’s no challenge. In addition, the “defeat a new monster in every chapter” thing gets really old really fast. He give away too much too soon. For pete’s sake, he slays one of the worst monsters right off the bat in his first encounter with one – so how much worse can it get? There is just no reall suspense or mystery about the whole plot.
So, unfortunately, I have to give Percy Jackson two thumbs down – one for blatant plot rip-off and another for not even writing it well. I was so disappointed I could not bring myself to read the second book of the series. Reading a book like The Lightning Thief just serves to remind me what a great writer Rowling really is, and how well she blended old myths, literary traditions, languages, politics, social commentary, mystery and suspense to come up with something new and remarkable. It’s not how many monsters you slay, but how you go about it and how well it is written. I haven’t heard of too many people re-reading Percy Jackson many times and getting something new out of it every time.
Professor May, you are a GENIUS!!! I personally am a HUGE fan of Rowling and I agree with you in all respects. I too read only the first book, (because my mom convinced me to buy it when I bought Order of the Pheonix. I still want my money back!) but found a rip off for almost all the Potter books.
Here is a list of RIP OFFS
1.) Harry and Percy are both Half-Bloods, which Riordan puts particular emphasis on
2.) Harry’s bedroom is a broom cupboard, Percy’s is Gabe’s office
3.) Harry and Percy both start out with problems with odd happenings.
4.) Both hint about snakes
5.) Both mothers have long red hair and special eyes
6.) Both get looks mostly from their fathers (such as GREEN EYES AND JET BLACK HAIR!?!)
7.) I’m not sure why no one has mentioned THE INVISIBILITY CAP?
8.) Grover and Ron are both introduced early on as friendly, while it takes a while for Hermione and Annabeth to get over differences with the main character
9.) Half-blood hill/Hogwarts? can anyone see any similarities?
10.) Both characters take up spots on a sports team after a fight with their nemesis that should have gotten them in serious trouble
11.) Not to mention the characters: Percy/Harry, Grover/Ron, Annabeth/Hermione, Gabe/Uncle Vernon, Clarice/Draco, Chiron/Dumbledore, Luke/Riddle, IT’S ENDLESS!
12.) Percy has nightmares about Kronos
13.) The confrontation with Luke was a cross between the scene in the chamber of secrets and the Quirrel confrontation, as was the scene with the minotaur
14.) Even the way camp half-blood (half-blood! originally a term for Harry Potter!) orders food is a rip off of the Yule Ball!
15.) Although it was slightly (Okay, very) predictable, there was a three-headed dog
16.) Both Clarice and Draco’s dads are despicable and servants to the villain.
17.) Even though Annabeth is technically a Half-blood, her mortal father married another woman after Athena left, giving her mortal parents just like Muggle-Born Hermione
18.) The Medusa attack was highly similar to the Bathilda attack in Deathly Hallows
19.) Both the death of Sirius and the “death” of Percy’s mom were somewhat similar
20.) Dionysus and Filch are also very similar
21.) Harry and Percy are singled out by fame of their parentage
22.) Campers are sorted into houses
These are just the similarities that come to mind. 22 rip offs in one book!!! Riordan EVEN had the nerve to mention Harry Potter! Close to the end of the book in the Empire State Building, Percy saw the guard reading a large book with a picture of a wizard on the front! I honestly don’t know how Jackson fans are going to explain this in a way other than this is a poorly written revision of Harry Potter.
Lastly, Harry Potter is a classic series, and no one will be able improve it, so boo on Rick Riordian for trying.
Um… im a fan of both PJO and HP. I know that it seems that its copying. Rick Riorden actually wrote this in the late 90s because he thought there wasnt enought childrens books. Also: Percy is 12 in the 1st book. And Im guessing that Fluffy (the 3 headed dog in HP) is actually based on Cerberus, the 3 headed dog in PJO. In the 4th HP, its a maze. Riorden isnt copying Rowling cuz Riorden is basing it off greek mythology. I mean, if anything, its not Riordens fault about the copying, its Rowlings cuz she took stuff from greek mythology (no im not blaming her) yes there is a bunch on the same stuff in the 2 series, but that doesnt mean its copying.
IT DOESNT MATTER! Lots of books have the same basic plot! And may i remind yall, Riorden based this off of greek mythology! so duh theres gonna be a prophacy! and as for Rowling, she probably did some reaserch on mythology and decided a prophacy would be good.
AND OH MY GODS how could you not like PJO?!?!?!?!?!?! I LOVE both series and possibly PJO better!!!!!!!!!!!! How could you say its a rip off?!?!?!?!?!!?!??! You cant judge a book by its covor (or first 15 pages, either!) so you should read the other books!!!!!!!!!!!! does Aphrodite ever come to tell Harry that hes in love with Ginny? NO!!!!!!!!! Does Percy Jackson have a scar on his forehead? NO!!!!!!!! And how is Clarisse like Draco? Clarisse and Percy become friends for Kronos’ sake! And do Harry and Draco become friends? NO!!!!!!!!!!!! Does Dumbledore have 4 legs and a tail? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Does anyone turn into a pine tree in Harry POtter? NO!!!!!!!!!! And if the baslisk pertifies people, how could it be Rick Riorden’s falt if he used MEdusa, who turns people into stone? SHES IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY, and for those of you who are too stupid to realize, IS WHAT PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS IS BASED ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CANT BELIEVE YOU STUPID PIECES OF DRAGON DUNG WOULD HATE PERCY JACKSON FOR THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ok. that was a little mean. but for yall who dont want to read PJO because hes ‘copying’ (which really, theyre both using the classic ‘hero’ topic) should either give it a try or give me 50 good reasons why I shouldnt LOVE PJO!!!!!!
Love, Alyce Chase
Oh right AND duh, HALF-BLOODS! Half-Bloods actually ARE from greek mythology, so theres no WAY riordan could have stolen that!
-Alyce
Yeah I agree, when I read the Percy Jackson books, I couldn’t help but notice a lot of the similarities. But I do have to say, that even if he did take a lot of elements from the HP books that made it successful(not to mention made kids want to read again), he did make it work well with his story.
Nothing wrong with that, right?
OK? i like both series. yes they are pretty much the same books but still.
i like both series. yes they are pretty much the same books but still.